Turns out DSS not been Baptised. What do we do?

[MadeMistake]

DSS was received into the Catholic Church and the priest needs to see the Baptismal certificate to complete theRCIC certificate. However, it turns out DSS was not Baptised into a C of E church. DH thought he had been, but it was actually DSS' half brother who was (DH and his Ex-p got together when the half brother was only a few months old).

What do I do now? I feel terrible as it was DSS who asked to be received as he's been attending a Catholic school since coming to live with us 4 yrs ago, he has no contact with his mother.

I am going to make an appointment to see the priest tomorrow and discuss it with him, but any help or advice will be gladly received.

[ilovepowerhoop]

get him baptised?

[MadeMistake]

He made his First Communion when he was received in. I'll have to see the priest, I just feel like we've been deceitful, but it wasn't done for any untoward reasons, quite the opposite.

[FrancisdeSales]

The priest will sort it out for you, it obviously wasn't intentional. The church should have had proof of his baptism before he received his First Holy Communion so it was an oversight on their part too. I'm sure the priest will want to make sure he is baptised asap!

[sanfairyanne]

dont worry. it is all just admin and will get sorted.

[FrancisdeSales]

Well it's not admin it's a missed sacrament which brings you into the church and makes an indelible mark on your soul, but will get sorted none the less! xx

[sanfairyanne]

yep as the bible says . .
oh wait . . .

[NotALondoner]

'an indelible mark on your soul'???

[NotALondoner]

It wasn't the poor boys fault it wasn't done.

[PrivateJourney]

DH attended the baptism of his new partner's baby and in his memory he thought it was his own son? Sorry, not helpful a all but the mind boggles.

[FrancisdeSales]

Noone said it was anyone's fault :) Jesus tells us go and baptise: Matthew 28:19. For Catholics baptism brings you into the body of Christ on earth, the church. Jesus was also baptised by John and told us all to do the same as his believers.

[TranmereRover]

but the fathers have eaten sour grapes so the children's teeth will be set on edge and he now has an indelible stain on his soul?
well that's ok then... boggles

[FrancisdeSales]

1280 Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of the character Baptism cannot be repeated.

From the Catholic Catechism.

All Baptisms are accepted by the Catholic church if people convert from another Christian tradition as long as the baptism was Trinitarian (in the Name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit).

[FrancisdeSales]

Not "stain", mark. You now belong to Christ.

[AMumInScotland]

Wow, there's times when I wonder at how little difference there seems to be between denominations. Then I read what some RC believe and I get quite startled...

Anyway, whether you view it as a technicality or an indelible mark, the priest is the chap to sort it out for you, and I'm sure he'll understand that there was confusion due to the family circumstances then and now, and quickly set something up for you.

(Since the priest couldn't tell, and I'm sure Jesus wouldn't mind, I don't think you need to worry about the state of his soul in the interim...)

[FrancisdeSales]

We believe we are marked/sealed with an invisible yet indelible sign because scripture tells us so.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God who has marked you with his seal, ready for the day when we shall be set free.
Ephesians 4:30

It is God who gives us, with you, a sure place in Christ and has both anointed us and marked us with his seal, giving us as pledge the Spirit in our hearts.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22

This is the nature of a Sacrament: a visible sign (baptism) of an invisible reality (brought into the Body of Christ and marked with his permanent seal). The Orthodox, Copts and other ancient churches also believe the same thing about baptism.

[MadeMistake]

Went to see the the priest this evening and he was so nice and said its not the first time it has happened and won't be the last. DSS is being baptised in a few weeks and all is ok.

Thank you FrancisdeSales

[sanfairyanne]

there you go, easily solved. pleased to hear all is sorted.

[FrancisdeSales]

Morning Mademistake! As expected everything is fine xx

For anyone reading and confused in some way by Catholic baptism here is the summary of the Graces we receive at Baptism from Catholic teaching (the Catechism).

Two Main Effects (1262)

The immersion in water signifies Baptism's two main effects - purification from sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit. Peter promised his hearers (on Pentecost) that by Baptism they would receive "forgiveness for your sins" and "the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

Forgiving Sin/Removing Punishment (1263)

Baptism forgives all sins (original and personal) and all punishment for sin (Council of Florence). Nothing remains to impede entrance into heaven.

Consequences Remain (1264)

Some consequences of sin (sickness, death, weakness of character) remain. There is also an inclination to sin called concupiscence with which we struggle. However, this inclination does no harm if resisted by Christ's grace (Council of Trent).

Effects of Baptism (1265-1266)

Baptism makes the believer an adopted child of God, a sharer in God's nature, a co-heir with Christ, and a temple of the Holy Spirit.

By sanctifying grace (the grace of justification), the baptized:

1. Are enabled to believe in God, hope in him, and love him (theological virtues)
   

2.Can live according to the power of the Holy Spirit (the sanctifying gifts)
3.Can grow in goodness (the moral virtues)

Baptism bestows the whole organism of the supernatural life.

Joined with Others (1267-1268)

By Baptism "we are members one of another" (Eph 4:25). This Body of Christ transcends all cultures, because "by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" (1 Cor 12:13).

The baptized have become "living stones." They are a royal nation, a holy priesthood, God's own people (1 Pet 2:9) sharing in the common priesthood of all believers.

Duties of Baptized (1269-1270)

The baptized belong to Christ and have the duty to serve others in the Church and to listen to Church leaders. They have a right to the sacraments, to the nourishment of God's Word, and to all the Church's spiritual helps. They participate in the Church's missionary activity.

One with All the Baptized (1271)

Baptism is the sacramental bond of unity (even for those not in full communion with the Catholic Church). By faith and Baptism, all "are incorporated into Christ, have a right to be called Christians and to be accepted as brothers" (Second Vatican Council).

Effects of Baptismal Seal (1272-1273)

Baptism seals the Christian with an indelible spiritual mark (the "character of Baptism") which sin cannot erase. Therefore, Baptism cannot be repeated.

This sacramental seal consecrates the person for Christian religious worship and requires them to participate in the Church's liturgy and to bear witness by their holy lives.

Sealed Forever (1274)

This "seal of the Lord" is for "the day of redemption." The Christian who is faithful to this seal will die "marked for eternal life" with hope in seeing God. "Baptism is the seal of eternal life" (St. Irenaeus).

[sashh]

Wow, there's times when I wonder at how little difference there seems to be between denominations. Then I read what some RC believe and I get quite startled...

Google 'celice' and Corporal Mortification.

It's only very few RCs who use them, rare outside Opus Dei, but prepare to be startled.

[QuintessentiallyQS]

I dont understand, you thought he was baptized into a CofE church, so you took him for First Holy Communion at a Catholic church?

[FrancisdeSales]

A C of E baptism would be accepted as a Christian baptism by the Catholic church as explained upthread. You only receive baptism once.

[AMumInScotland]

Quint Baptism into any church that believes in the trinity is fine. Even though we apparently vary quite a lot in what we think happens, we're all happy to believe that baptised is baptised, whichever denomination the clergy person doing it happens to belong to.

[AWombWithoutAFoof]

Is your husband religious, OP? Seems odd that he doesn't something that seems to be so important happening to the wrong child.

[FrancisdeSales]

Yes if the person is baptised "In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" they are baptised into Christ.

Examples of those who would need to be baptised when becoming Catholic would be Mormons, who do not believe in the Trinity in a Christian sense.

From Mademistake's first post she said her DSS asked to become Catholic and was received into the church with the understanding that he had already been baptised, so he was not baptised before his First Holy Communion.